Atlas Silver series dash 8-cw cutting out on turnouts

[rcracer]

My dash 8 is cutting out on all of my turnouts for a couple of seconds, then continues. I'm using Peco code 100 track and turnouts. All of my 4 axel engines don't do this. Any suggestions on what the problem might be. Thanks for replys.

 

[Iron Horseman]

I'm using Peco code 100 track and turnouts.

Insulfrog or Electrofrog?
What are your other 4 axle units? As I recall the dash-8 truck has a longer wheel base than most others. On insulfrog turnouts it could be the wheels are bridging the gap in the frog, so that it briefly shorts. Are the wheels wider on this unit than the others? Is there more side to side play on the wheels in the trucks of this unit than the others?

 

[rcracer]

All of the turnouts are Insulfrog, sorry that I did not say that first. Thanks for the reply I'll check everything you said. This engine is a 6 axle engine, all the others are 4 axle engine and they are all Atlas brand.

 

[Logger Mike]

Not knowing Peco's, Are the frog's "hot"?....if not you may need Frog Juicers.....not knowing Atlas Diesels, are they all wheel pickups?


Logger Mike,
Charlotte, NC Area

 

[Iron Horseman]

they are all Atlas brand.

That should mean all the wheels are the same width...
Another thing you can look at is the rails approaching the frog, if they have little black marks that could indicate shorts. An easy fix to this problem is to "paint" a coating of clear nail polish over the frog to give it a slightly longer insulated area. Usually just 1/16" of an inch is sufficient.

 

[rcracer]

Thanks Iron Horseman, I'll try that and let you know the outcome.

 

[rcracer]

Atlas master silver series dash 8-cw cutting out problem

Hey guys, this is what the problem was. When the engine crossed the grade crossing the rear wheel of the front truck derail to the right. And when it got to the curved turnout it would short out. So it was not the engine or the turnout causing the problem. Everything is fixed now, running just fine. Thanks again you two for your replies. Sorry for the pics. could not rotate them.

 

[rcracer]

I fixed the problem by grinding the lip off of all the middle wheels, everything is great now.

 

[Iron Horseman]

Hey guys, this is what the problem was. When the engine crossed the grade crossing the rear wheel of the front truck derail to the right. And when it got to the curved turnout it would short out. So it was not the engine or the turnout causing the problem. Everything is fixed now, running just fine. Thanks again you two for your replies.

interesting, I'll have to add that to my list of things to ask people when similar problems come up in the future.